Law Enforcement Took Knives, Dagger And Sword From Suspected Highland Park Shooter’s Home In 2019, Police Reveal

Topline

The death toll from Monday’s mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, has risen to seven, police said Tuesday, as authorities revealed a prior weapons-related contact with 21-year-old suspect Robert E. Crimo III.

Key Facts

Sgt. Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force said during a press conference law enforcement had two prior contacts with Crimo: One took place after learning Crimo had attempted suicide in April 2019, and another occurred five months later, when a family member reported Crimo said he was going to “kill everyone” and had a collection of knives.

Officers visited Crimo’s residence in September 2019 and removed 16 knives, a dagger and a sword, but there was “no probable cause for arrest” and no complaints were signed by the witnesses, according to Covelli.

Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek also identified six of the shooting’s seven victims during the press conference: 64-year-old Katherine Goldstein, 35-year-old Irina McCarthy, 37-year-old Kevin McCarthy, 63-year-old Jacquelyn Sundheim, 88-year-old Stephen Straus and 78-year-old Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza.

Covelli said a total of 45 people were killed or injured in Monday’s attack, including six deceased victims reported Monday and one person who died in a hospital Tuesday.

The New York Times reports Toledo-Zaragoza initially didn’t want to attend the parade, and the Chicago Tribune reports Sundheim was a lifelong member of the North Shore Congregation Israel.

What To Watch For

Covelli said authorities will likely announce charges against Crimo Tuesday evening.

Key Background

Crimo allegedly scaled a fire escape to gain access to a rooftop in Highland Park on Monday and then opened fire on the crowd below using a high-powered, AR-15-style rifle, Covelli said during a press conference earlier Tuesday. Police say Crimo, who wore women’s clothing to conceal his facial tattoos and identity, fired more than 70 rounds before blending into the crowd and fleeing the scene. After the shooting, he walked to his mother’s house and borrowed her Honda Fit, Covelli said. An hours-long manhunt ensued, and culminated in officers spotting the Honda in a nearby Chicago suburb and attempting to stop the vehicle, after which Crimo led officers on a brief pursuit that ended in him peacefully surrendering. NBC News reports Crimo had posted several music videos on YouTube under the name Awake, which depicted violent imagery of mass murders and school shootings. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering told the Today show she did not think Crimo was known to police prior to the shooting.

What We Don’t Know

Covelli said the shooting appeared to be random, but said investigators have not yet determined a movie for the attack. He added there was no indication the attack was based on race or religion.

Tangent

Kevin and Irina McCarthy’s 2-year-old son, Aiden, survived the shooting and was found wandering by himself after his parents were killed, according to WBBM-TV.

Further Reading

Robert Crimo III Planned Highland Park Shooting For Weeks, Police Say—Here’s What We Know About The Suspected July 4 Shooter (Forbes)